Vueling

[Aviador]

Yes but ALC and PMI are starting in June, no sign of AGP with them just yet, but who knows if these routes and BCN are success what will happen

Sorry my bad. I misread the earlier post. I meant just AGP.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

AGP was not included because the yields for AGP were about £20 per PAX less for an extra 20 minutes flying time compared to ALC.

I'd heard exactly that as well, planenut, but didn't mention it until I could get some confirmation. You've now confirmed it and I suspect your's is from a reliable source.

 

[pug]

AGP was not included because the yields for AGP were about £20 per PAX less for an extra 20 minutes flying time compared to ALC.

Was that speculative (through their own costings) or through another airlines experience? I find it hard to imagine they would have detailed knowledge of yields on a route they had not yet operated. I guess if that is the case then their operating costs dont allow for AGP which would make expansion difficult with the possible exception of IBZ and increased frequencies on ALC, BCN and PMI.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Was that speculative (through their own costings) or through another airlines experience?

The latter, I was told, though how they got hold of previous airlines' figures on the route I have no idea.

I wouldn't rule out Malaga completely. If, for example, Barcelona, Palma and Alicante yields meet or exceed Vueling's expectations, and signs are that Barcelona bookings are doing well with additional flights rostered for the coming Easter, then they could well decide to add to the network in summer 2013.

Although CWL's core catchment is such that it tends to struggle when economic times are bad the Costas and the other primary sun/sand routes generally do well in summer whatever the economy is doing. More particularly, the loads do well - whether the yields are as good only airlines involved would know normally, which is probably why Vueling is being cautious.

Vueling and CWL are advertising the airline in a big way (it's usually a major criticism of CWL that they don't advertise routes widely) and Vueling is offering 20 euros off fares for a fixed period, though this doesn't just apply to the CWL routes.

The only obstacle I can see is that Vueling is not well known in Wales or in the UK generally and it may take some time for it to become more widely recognised here as a significant player in the low-cost aviation sector.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Vueling's first CWL route to start next week

Just one week before the Barcelona route starts - Thursday 29 March.

It will be 3 x weekly with additional rotations on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

I understand there will be a reception at The Senedd (Assembly building) in Cardiff next Thursday evening to be attended by Wales Government ministers and senior officers from Vueling.

Let's hope the route and the other Vueling routes due to start in June are resounding successes for the airline and airport.

Unfortunately, a General Strike in Spain is scheduled for 29 March - it will be a huge shame if it impacts adversely on the opening day of the route.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Unfortunately, a General Strike in Spain is scheduled for 29 March - it will be a huge shame if it impacts adversely on the opening day of the route.

The inaugural Barcelona-Cardiff flight tomorrow has been cancelled because of the strike.

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

The inagural Vueling flight to Barcelona will be on Saturday 31st March however the official welcoming by Cardiff Airport will be on Tuesday 3rd with a water cannon welcome (weather permitting)

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Many thanks for that mathers_wales_uk and welcome back to Forums4airports.

I hope we see you posting regularly.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The First Vueling

The first ever scheduled Vueling service from Barcelona to CWL arrived at 1847 this evening, 12 minutes late.

A320 EC-LOC was operating VLG 7222.

The advertised 1910 departure was about half an hour late and EC-LOC departed as VLG 7223.

I noted that the CWL Ceefax site today was also showing the flight with an Iberia (IB) number.

The Vueling CEO has said that early bookings showed a near 50:50 split in those travelling from Spain (and from other parts of the Vueling network via BCN) to Wales and those travelling from Wales to Spain.

This augurs well for inbound tourism and business to Wales.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Vueling currently operates CWL-BCN 3 x weekly on Tue, Thurs and Sat.

Last Thursday (26 April) the rotation did not operate and currently there is no availability shown for this Thursday (3 May) or for Saturdays 5 and 12 May.

Either both inbound and outbound sectors are sold out on these days (unlikely) or the flights will not operate.

It seems rather odd.

 

[Jordan-34092]

TheLocalYokel, i though Vueling operated to other destinations than just Barcelona from CWL?

 

[Em0866]

The other flights to Palma and Alicante with Vueling start in June

 

[TheLocalYokel]

First full month of CWL-BCN

April was the first full month and saw 13 rotations/26 sectors.

2,232 passengers were carried which gives an average load of 86/load factor just under 48% on the A320.

The airline and airports will be hoping to build this up to around 75% as the summer unfolds to meet the airline's average load factor.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Alicante

Vueling has announced that the 3 x weekly ALC service, commencing 24 June, will be extended from mid September until 27 October.

 

[Aviador]

A bit of good news for the airport there.

Alicante is a route that should be able to continue throughout the winter months so it will be interesting to see if they can manage to keep the route going beyond the end of October.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Alicante is a route that should be able to continue throughout the winter months so it will be interesting to see if they can manage to keep the route going beyond the end of October.

That is certainly the hope of those with the interests of CWL at heart.

Of the other Vueling routes from the airport, Palma (also starting later this month at 3 x weekly) may be more difficult in the winter as it has never been as popular as Alicante in the winter months from most regional airports, from the days of the charter market high watermark to the current low-cost airline operations.

The third route, Barcelona, now beginning its third full month of operation at 3 x weekly is engendering some discussion in the Welsh aviation scene as to whether it will go through the winter.

The April loads (48% load factor for the month) were not quite as high as many had hoped for and fares seemed on the low side - unsurprising as it's a new route and obviously the airline wants to establish it.

If average monthly load factors can get up above 70% in peak summer and fares rise above the bargain level it might carry on into the winter.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Vueling CWL-BCN in May 2012

CAA stats show that 1278 passengers used the route in May this year.

There were 11 rotations (22 legs) which means the average load was 58, a load factor of 32% on the 180-seat A320, down from the 48% load factor of April (the first full month of the route).

This is a desperately disappointing figure. The airline cancelled some rotations in the month, presumably because of poor bookings. It's understandable but won't help sentiment of those considering booking.

 

[Aviador]

Vueling CWL-BCN in May 2012

CAA stats show that 1278 passengers used the route in May this year.

There were 11 rotations (22 legs) which means the average load was 58, a load factor of 32% on the 180-seat A320, down from the 48% load factor of April (the first full month of the route).

This is a desperately disappointing figure. The airline cancelled some rotations in the month, presumably because of poor bookings. It's understandable but won't help sentiment of those considering booking.

This cannot go on. I can't see Vueling lasting the summer at Cardiff airport with those kind of passenger figures. :sad:

 

[Em0866]

As disappointing as this is, the question needs to be asked, why is this happening? Lack of information to the travelling public? People cutting back on their breaks/holidays? Other reasons?

 

[Aviador]

As disappointing as this is, the question needs to be asked, why is this happening? Lack of information to the travelling public? People cutting back on their breaks/holidays? Other reasons?

Thanks Em0866, of course you are right, I am sure there is much more behind this than what meets the eye. It's not always easy to tell exactly what the problem is from outside the region. Has the airport made any effort to promote Vueling and their new routes, likewise, has the airline advertised at all locally? On top of advertising and promoting the routes there is of course the economic situation both here in the UK and in Spain. Whatever the reason for the extremely low load factors so far, it should be a huge concern for both the airport authority and the airline.